Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Yesterday, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first flight in commercial service, flying more than 200 passengers from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Chris Sloan, an aviation writer who was covering the first flight for Airways magazine and Airchive.com, was one of those passengers, and he shared his experience--and these photos--with CNET.

First 787 flight sign

In the airport in Tokyo, an ANA sign welcomes passengers to their historic flight.

Flights board

A digital board in the airport in Tokyo shows a list of upcoming flights. Toward the bottom is the listing for the first Dreamliner flight, ANA flight NH7871 to Hong Kong.

Boarding pass

This is a boarding pass for the first Dreamliner passenger flight, ANA flight 7871 from Tokyo to Hong Kong on October 25, 2011.

Boarding certificate

This is a certificate passengers aboard the flight received prior to boarding.

We fly first

ANA embroidered a "787 We fly first" logo on the Dreamliner's seats.

Flight crew waits

The ANA flight crew waits for passengers on the first flight.

Filing into seats

Passengers aboard the flight file into their seats.

Brochure

Flight attendants aboard the flight show off a special 787 Dreamliner brochure.

Menu

Here, we see the meal menu for the first ANA Dreamliner flight.

Console with flight attendant

An ANA flight attendant waits for passengers at a console toward the front of the Dreamliner.

Water spout

To commemorate the first flight, a truck shoots a giant water spout in the air as the plane taxis toward takeoff.

Wing in flight

As the Dreamliner soars between Tokyo and Hong Kong, its left wing is seen outside the window.

Ceiling lights

The plane's LED lights are designed to change during flight in order to help with passengers' moods.

Ceiling lights 2

Here, we see the lights have changed colors completely from the previous image.

Colored window

Another innovative design on the Dreamliner is that its windows can darken or lighten up, as the passenger wishes. Here, one window is seen fully bright, while another is darker.

Controller

This is the Dreamliner's multimedia controller.

Flight map

This is the interactive flight map, seen on the back of a passenger's seat.

Dreamliner packet

This photograph shows a set of Dreamliner-themed materials given to each passenger.

Banner in Hong Kong

As the plane taxis into the terminal in Hong Kong, passengers were welcomed by a large banner.

Welcome banner

This is another welcome banner in Hong Kong.

With lions

One more banner, along with special celebratory lions, welcomed passengers on board the first Dreamliner flight.